Sunday, December 4, 2016

I've been crocheting up a storm for Christmas. I was trying to come up with ideas that with supplies I already have on hand, not take to much time and yet easy to personalize. I came up with this crochet wrap button bracelet design and now I want to make a ton of them.

So fun and my daughter is obsessed with them. She's requested I make them for all her school friends and I've had several inquires to make some for other family and friends. I know you will just love this bracelet tutorial. This is great for beginners and it's make a perfect gift for anyone in all seasons!So lets get to it! This is more of a tutorial than a pattern and good news I made a video too!

Step 1: Thread the needle and pull your yarn end through the button holes.

Step 2: Make a slip knot, pull it close to button, as tight as possible. Make one chain around both ends of the yarn to lock that in place. Pull again on ends to make the chain tight to the button. Leave the end of the yarn (not attached to the ball/skein) off to the side now, well use it to braid later.)

Step 3: Chain Stitch until the bracelet measures around 54 inches. Be sure not to twist the chain and keep it as even as possible.

Step 4: Button Hole: This will depend on the size of the button you use.

Make a slip stitch in about the 5th chain from the hook, (if you need it bigger or smaller adjust) Make sure your button with fit through.

Step 5: Sl St in all the remaining chains to the very 1st chain. Leaving about a 6-8 inch tail, fasten off.

Step 6: Braiding the End: cut two strand of yarn about 12 inches. Thread these through the button whole. Pull ends evenly. Divide the ends into three sections. Braid the ends to measure about 3 inches. Tie off in the knot.

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

I don't often make afghan's or blankets! I tend to get bored or lose interest in large projects. Would you believe I've made two in the past month! I really enjoyed making both of these and I knew I had to share the links with you all. You'll want to add these to your to-make crochet lists!

While I followed the pattern for rounds and stitch counts I followed a picture example a friend of my hubby's sent me for the color changes. I had the perfect colors on hand which is always great!

I used Hobby Lobby's I Love This Yarn in

Ocean, Black & White

This ended up being a little bigger than I expected as it's about 54 inches across. It's going to be a great blanket and treasured! I'll would love to make more of these! Could be a great stash buster. It took me a good few days to make but once you get the hang of the pattern it goes pretty quickly as long as you don't lose count.

The 2nd Blanket I made is a Free pattern by Mama in a Stitch called the

I gladly accepted the challenge. I have to say I really enjoyed making this. I love the Granite stitch, (Some times called the moss stitch) it's been a popular stitch pattern lately with all the planned pooling talk. I have to say though making a blanket with mostly sc crochet stitches seemed awful LOL! I used Hobby Lobby's I Love This Yarn in Ivory and Gray Mist. My saving grace was that I could use two strands at a time to make it bulky. I still used the J-Hook and the gauge was spot on for me as long as I didn't crochet too tight.

I would have never thought to use these two colors together.

They are so clean, crisp and fresh together.

The blanket isn't to heavy and yet thick enough that it is going to make a great cozy blanket by the fire for the winter!

This was a great project for my little vacation to Colorado. I worked on it little by little and had it done in a week.

Maybe my fear of big projects is fading because I really want to make another blanket! I don't usually sell them because between time and materials they can become expensive fast but I'm happy to get a fair quote if you are ever interested in a custom order for them! Now I have to get to working on Christmas Presents! I have a feeling this month is going to go by fast!

What are some of your favorite blanket/afghan patterns! Feel free to comment below or share a link or picture on my facebook page anytime!

Saturday, November 26, 2016

I've been visiting family in Parker, Colorado for the Thanksgiving Holiday! I was finishing this new hat design and on Tuesday it began to snow. It was the perfect time to grab up some pics and have fun. This hat is perfect for this type of weather. It's got a fun cluster stitch and double thick band to keep it fluffy, cozy and warm in the cooler weather. The hat is inspired by the City and Snow!

*Match up Row 1 and Row 60, sl st together in blo of each st across to join, ch 1

*Do Not Fasten off!

Body of Hat:

Make sure right side is facing.

Round 1: working along the ends of the rows, sc in each row around, join with a sl st to 1st sc, ch 1(60)

Round 2: sc in 1st st, *pull up a loop in same st as last st made and in next 2 sts, YO and draw through all 4 loops on hook, ch 1(NOTE: work ch 1’s loosely through out the pattern as you’ll be working into it on the next round), repeat from * around, sc in last st, join with a sl st to 1st sc, TURN

Round 3-16 : Rep round 2

Fasten off but leave a long tail to close the top of the hat.

Whip Stitch around the hat evenly around. Pull the top of the hat closed. Weave in the end until the top is closed tight. Weave in all ends.

*Match up Row 1 and Row 66, sl st together in blo of each st across to join, ch 1

*Do Not Fasten off!

Body of Hat:

Make sure right side is facing.

Round 1: working along the ends of the rows, sc in each row around, join with a sl st to 1st sc, ch 1(66)

Round 2: sc in 1st st, *pull up a loop in same st as last st made and in next 2 sts, YO and draw through all 4 loops on hook, ch 1(NOTE: work ch 1’s loosely through out the pattern as you’ll be working into it on the next round), repeat from * around, sc in last st, join with a sl st to 1st sc, TURN

Round 3-18 : Rep round 2

Fasten off but leave a long tail to close the top of the hat.

Whip Stitch around the hat evenly around. Pull the top of the hat closed. Weave in the end until the top is closed tight. Weave in all Ends

*Match up Row 1 and Row 76, sl st together in blo of each st across to join, ch 1

*Do Not Fasten off!

Body of Hat:

Make sure right side is facing.

Round 1: working along the ends of the rows, sc in each row around, join with a sl st to 1st sc, ch 1(76)

Round 2: sc in 1st st, *pull up a loop in same st as last st made and in next 2 sts, YO and draw through all 4 loops on hook, ch 1(NOTE: work ch 1’s loosely through out the pattern as you’ll be working into it on the next round), repeat from * around, sc in last st, join with a sl st to 1st sc, TURN

Round 3-20 : Rep round 2

Fasten off but leave a long tail to close the top of the hat.

Whip Stitch around the hat evenly around. Pull the top of the hat closed. Weave in the end until the top is closed tight. Weave in all ends.

Happy Thanksgiving! While Crocheting and Knitting are some of my favorite things to do all the time. Sometimes I need a little brain break as my kids say! My Hubby got me hooked on Adult coloring books. We both love to color. Honestly I think he loves to more than I do. We're always finding fun books. I was so excited when Leisure Arts asked me to review this fantastic Fall Themed color book : Bountiful Wonders!

Maybe you have friends and family coming for the Holidays! I love to have these on hand with some colored pencils and markers for people to color sitting out on the coffee table. These are easy to share as there are 24 unique designs with perforated, one sided papers. This book is full of Fall Festive Photos! Pumpkins, Thanksgiving, Owls and more! You can see the sample pages at the link to the book below.

My hubby Colored this one!

I colored this one over the course of a few days!

I really enjoy that the books offers coloring tips.

*Colors that go well together

*How to use the color wheel.

*How to Shade

So Grab up this great Color book and be sure to check out all the other books they have too! They make great gifts for everyone!

Monday, November 14, 2016

A big thank you to Leisure Arts for sending me a sample copy to review for you. This post does contain affiliate links which I may be compensated for when you make a purchase,

however the review is my honest, un-biased opinion.

Oh my goodness! I can't even contain the cuteness in Ice Box Crochet. I love "Ami" crochet and this book has over 45 food items and so much more. If you have a little girls or boys like me who loves to play with dolls or make believe and needs play food. This is the book for you! I've already made 4 items out of the book and my kids are begging for the mini refrigerator and more. I plan to surprise them with more goodies for Christmas.

The book over all is colorful and fun. My kids just enjoyed looking through it and planning meals for mom to make!

They want to learn more how to crochet soon! My son can chain and single crochet rows and he was ready to jump into the book and make food. I bet with a little practice these could be fun beginner projects.

I didn't want to just skim through the book and tell you what I thought. I wanted to make a little something! With Thanksgiving coming up I thought what better than to start with a turkey! I love the simple shaping and little details the patterns have. Not to much details making it difficult but just enough to make it adorable and look almost like the real thing.

Next, I picked out a carrot and corn cob. Of course they needed a tray to go on! (all patterns from the book)

Now the Dolls are ready for Thanksgiving. Although I think they need at a dessert.

The patterns are written very clearly and when I did have questions (which were very minor) they were answered in the back of the book with diagrams, pictures and general instructions.

Ice Box Crochet is amazing if you have a lot of scrap yarn around. The book includes a discussion of what types of yarn to use and what to expect for sizing. I did all my samples in worsted weight yarn, but you can use yarn as small as lace weight up to a chunky yarn with hook of choice for the size you want. Make a tiny donut or a gigantic starfruit! The possibilities are endless.

I enjoyed also that some of the chosen food items aren't maybe what you would expect. The fruits, vegetables and desserts are unique for a very wide variety of choices. There is even sushi! I can't wait to make more items from these patterns very soon. I know you will love it too!

You can get the physical book mailed to you from Leisure Artsor if your like me and need your patterns right now! I saw today (11/14/2016) you can purchase an instant download e-copy for $8.99That is an amazing deal for everything you get! So grab it up while you can. I have no idea how long it will be on sale.

Friday, November 4, 2016

Christmas is just around the corner. I'd recently made this fun Lil' Goblin Hat, but just missed Halloween time frame to post the pattern. So, before it was to late I thought how perfect would it be to turn it into a Elf Hat for the Holidays! I'm just in love with it! I hope you like it too! Enjoy!

Row 1: from the last st made of round 30, count over 9 sts to the left, join with a sl st in that 9th st, sc in same st as join and next 7 sts, ch 1, turn (8)

Row 2: sc in each st across, ch 1, turn (8)

Rows 3-5 Rep Row 2

Row 6: sc in each st across, fasten off & weave in ends

Left Earflap:

Row 1: From the last st made of round 30. count over 17 sts to the right, join with a sl st in the 17th st and the next 7 sts, ch 1, turn (8)

Row 2: sc in each st across, ch 1, turn (8)

Rows 3-5: Rep Row 2

Row 6: sc in each st across, fasten off & weave in ends

Edging: Join with a sl st to the last st made of Round 30, sc evenly around the the last row and earflaps, be sure to work 2 sc in the corners of the earflaps for shaping. join with a sl st, fasten off & weave in ends

Ears: (Make 2)

Work ears in a continuous round, do not join.

Use a stitch marker to mark rounds if desired.

Round 1: Working with Acadia/Cream - ch 2, in 2nd ch from the hook work 6 sc (6)

Rounds 2-4: sc in each st around (6)

Round 5: *(2 sc in next st, sc in next st) * around (9)

Round 6-8: sc in each st around (9)

Round 9 *(2 sc in next st, sc in next 2 sc)* around (12)

Round 10-12: sc in each st around (12)

Round 13: *(2 sc in next st, sc in next st) * around (18)

Round 14: sc in each st around (18)

Round 15: *(sc2tog, sc in next st)* around (12)

Round 16: sc in each st around (12)

Fasten off leaving a long tail to sew Ear to Hat.

Fold ear slightly less than half way to shape the ear, then sew it to hat.

See main picture for placement. Fasten off and weave in all end!

If you'd like to make the Goblin hat instead it's basically just color changes and not striped. You can find that example pattern by clicking the image below!

Thursday, November 3, 2016

Way back in 2010 when Calleigh's Clips and Crochet Creations was just starting, I was commissioned to create a Goblin Hat for a little boy's Halloween Costume. You can read about that on this post or in my Ravelry Projects. Well here 6 years later someone found the picture and asked me to recreate it for their little newborn. I had to re-re-create the design as it's had been so long! LOL I couldn't remember what I'd done and I hadn't followed a pattern. So I though now would be a good time to write out the pattern as I made it. Although I'm a few days late for Halloween now you have plenty of time to make it for next year, plus I turned it into an Enchanting Elf Stripped Hat just in time for Christmas! PS: If that link doesn't work it will be loaded sometime Friday/Saturday!! :) Be Sure to Add This To Your Ravelry Favorites

Row 1: from the last st made of round 30, count over 9 sts to the left, join with a sl st in that 9th st, sc in same st as join and next 7 sts, ch 1, turn (8)

Row 2: sc in each st across, ch 1, turn (8)

Rows 3-5 Rep Row 2

Row 6: sc in each st across, fasten off & weave in ends

Left Earflap:

Row 1: From the last st made of round 30. count over 17 sts to the right, join with a sl st in the 17th st and the next 7 sts, ch 1, turn (8)

Row 2: sc in each st across, ch 1, turn (8)

Rows 3-5: Rep Row 2

Row 6: sc in each st across, fasten off & weave in ends

Edging: Join with a sl st to the last st made of Round 30, sc evenly around the the last row and earflaps, be sure to work 2 sc in the corners of the earflaps for shaping. join with a sl st, fasten off & weave in ends

Ears: (Make 2)

Work ears in a continuous round, do not join.

Use a stitch marker to mark rounds if desired.

Round 1:Using Mid Green - ch 2, in 2nd ch from the hook work 6 sc (6)

Rounds 2-4: sc in each st around (6)

Round 5: *(2 sc in next st, sc in next st) * around (9)

Round 6-8: sc in each st around (9)

Round 9 *(2 sc in next st, sc in next 2 sc)* around (12)

Round 10-12: sc in each st around (12)

Round 13: *(2 sc in next st, sc in next st) * around (18)

Round 14: sc in each st around (18)

Round 15: *(sc2tog, sc in next st)* around (12)

Round 16: sc in each st around (12)

Fasten off leaving a long tail to sew Ear to Hat.

Fold ear slightly less than half way to shape the ear, then sew it to hat.

Wednesday, November 2, 2016

Happy November! Oh this is my favorite time of year! We have so much to be Thankful for don't we! I know I'm thankful for you, so I hope you enjoy the savings you'll get when you grab up some great patterns for the upcoming holiday season! Which ones will you get?

Friday, October 28, 2016

If you love to follow yarn trends there have been a few fun ones this fall. From yarn pooling to fun self stripping yarns. I'd avoided the Caron Cakes because they were hard to find and do have some wool in them (which I can handle but it usually makes me a little itchy), but I happened to be in Micheal's one day and found a few skeins that jumped in my cart. My Daughter (7yrs) picked out the colors.

I knew this would make a great super scarf but with a big scarf and it still being 80 degrees around here I didn't want it to be heavy! Even though I used two full skeins and I did a fun lacy look texture so it's light weight and still cozy.

If super scarves aren't for you simple make it the length you want or join ends to make an infinity scarf.

It's also wide enough that you could make it a gorgeous shawl.

I enjoyed working with the Caron Cakes yarn and actually would like to get more. If you're looking for a wool free alternative Premier Yarns came out with Sweet Roll. Which is similar. It's coming to Joann's soon so I hope to try it soon.

YO and draw through 2 loops on hook; repeat from *2 times more, YO and draw through all 4 loops on hook.

Decrease (uses next 3 ch-3 sps), YO, * insert hook in next ch-3 sp, YO and pull up a loop, YO and draw through 2 loops on hook *, YO, skip next ch-3 sp, repeat from * to * once, YO and draw through all 3 loops on hook.

Friday, August 12, 2016

Happy Birthday to me! Happy Birthday to me! Happy......Birth....day tooooooooo, me! Just kidding! I honestly don't want to celebrate getting older, but its got to happen! I'm thankful God has allowed me 34 years of life and that I've gotten to celebrate 6 of those birthdays with you! I hope you will enjoy the sale and giveaway! Details below! Enjoy!

Also a Giveaway over on Facebook! I'm giving away 1 pattern to 14 winners, but if we reach 20,000 fans during the sale.I'm going to raise it to 34 winners instead!! Just click on over to the post embedded below and do 1-4! 1. Like our facebook page if you haven't2. Like the post 3. Share the post 4. Leave a comment with your favorite b-day dessert!